6 Days Mountain Elgon Trekking Safari
This 6 days Mountain Elgon trekking safari takes you to Mountain Elgon National park in Eastern Uganda where you will have an opportunity to hike to the top of the 8th highest mountain in Africa which is the largest and oldest extinct shield volcano situated on the border of Uganda and Kenya. Mountain Elgon national park is blessed with scenic attractions including Mountain Elgon, including Magnificent water bodies like waterfalls, rivers and lakes, cliffs, gorges, calderas, mesas, and hot springs. Along your way, you will visit Mabira forest which is the second largest naturally existing rainforest in Uganda. You will have a memorable experience while at Wagagai peak, Sipi falls, and the Budadiri community.
Safari Highlights: 6 Days Mountain Elgon Trekking Safari
- Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mountain Elgon National Park
- Day 2: Budadiri to Sasa Camp
- Day 3: Sasa Camp to Mude Camp
- Day 4: Mude Camp to Wagagai Peak
- Day 5: Descend to Budadiri through the Sasa trail
- Day 6: Hike to Sipi falls and cave exploration
Detailed Itinerary: 6 Days Mountain Elgon Trekking Safari
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mountain Elgon National Park
You will be picked up by your safari driver/guide early in the morning after breakfast and embark on your 5 hours road trip via Jinja highway to Mountain Elgon national park in the Eastern region of Uganda. On your way, you will have a stopover in Mabira forest where you will be able to explore this rain forest on a brief nature walk after exploring Mabira forest, you will have a lunch en-route in a nearby city Centre and then proceed to the park, check-in, have dinner and spend the night at your booked hotel as you recharge for the next day’s activity.
Meal Plan: Dinner
Accommodation: Sipi Sunset Lodge
Day 2: Budadiri to Sasa Camp
Enjoy your morning meal and afterwards go to the park headquarters for a briefing about the hike to Wagagai Peak. After the briefing, you will start your hike through the Sasa trail along with your porters, cooks and experienced park rangers. Sasa trail is the shortest and at the same time the toughest route with an altitude of 1600m which takes you through the rain forest and bamboo zone up to Sasa River camp where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3: Sasa Camp to Mude Camp
After breakfast at Sasa River campsite, continue with your hike through the Sasa trail in the rain forest to the summit base camp known as Mude Cave Campsite. During the hike, you will have a wonderful view of the waterfalls and a scenic view of the mountain. The hike will take approximately 5 hours, you will arrive during the afternoon hours and you will have lunch as well as relaxation for the rest of the day until tomorrow.
Day 4: Mude Camp to Wagagai Peak
On this big day, depart Mude campsite immediately after breakfast with your packed lunch and ascend to Wagagai peak which is the highest summit on Mountain Elgon standing at 4,321 metres. You will trek through the moorland zone up to Wagagai peak and while at the peak, you will have a lunch break as you enjoy the scenic view of the surroundings and the three waterfalls which are famously known as Sipi falls. You will have a photographic period and afterwards descend through the Jackson summit back to Mude cave campsite for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Descend to Budadiri through the Sasa trail
Immediately after breakfast in the morning, you will descend back to Budadiri through the Sasa trail. While at Budadiri, you will have a lunch break and later go for a cultural tour at Budadiri community to explore the cultural heritage of the Bagisu and Sabiny people who live on the foothills of Mountain Elgon in Budadiri Community. The Bagisu people are popularly known as Bamasaba who are famously known because of their highly respected traditional circumcision of boys which is locally termed as ‘Imbalu’ which marks the initiation of boys into manhood. This will offer you an unforgettable cultural experience since the Bagisu and Sabiny people are connected to the park. Later retire to your booked lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 6: Hike to Sipi falls and cave exploration
After a peaceful breakfast, meet your safari guide and hike to the top of the famous Sipi falls. During the hike, you will explore some of the mountain Elgon caves including Kapkwai cave and Khauka cave where you will encounter a vast number of Savannah elephants and buffaloes which frequently visit the caves to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Afterwards, progress to all the 3 magnificent Sipi falls where you have a wonderful view of the waterfalls and the park. After taking photography, descend back to your lodge for lunch, freshen up, pack your belongings and check out of the lodge. Start your journey to Kampala where you will arrive in the evening and those who wish to proceed to the Airport will be dropped at Entebbe International Airport for their flight back home.
End of the 6 Days Mountain Elgon Trekking Safari
